Calibrachoa plant named &#39;dancalmidblu&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Calibrachoa  plant named ‘Dancalmidblu’ characterized by having large, violet colored flowers; a vigorous, cascading growth habit; a very floriferous flowering habit with a long blooming season; and is suitable for patios and outdoors plant beddings.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Calibrachoa sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Dancalmidblu’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp., hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Dancalmidblu’.

The new Calibrachoa cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Calibrachoa cultivar attractive flower colors and a desirable plant habit.

The new Calibrachoa cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the Inventor in 2002 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female or seed parent is a Calibrachoa sp. designated as ‘C.V.178’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is a Calibrachoa sp. designated as ‘C.V.100’ (unpatented). ‘Dancalmidblu’ was discovered and selected by the Inventor in May of 2002 as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by stem tip cutting was first performed in May of 2002 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 5 unique characteristics of ‘Dancalmidblu’ which in combination distinguish this Calibrachoa as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large, violet colored flowers;

2. Vigorous, cascading growth habit;

3. Very floriferous flowering habit with a long blooming season; and

4. Suitable for patios and outdoors plant beddings.

Plants of the new Calibrachoa cultivar ‘Dancalmidblu’ differ from plants of the parents, ‘C.V. 178’ (unpatented) and ‘C.V. 100’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics described in Table 1. TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘CV.178’ ‘CV.100’ Trait ‘Dancalmidblu’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Corolla color Violet Violet Blue Corolla size Diameter: Diameter: 4 cm Diameter: 3 to 4 cm 2.5 to 3 cm Flower time Medium Medium Early Plant vigor Medium High Medium

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Calibrachoa cultivar ‘Dancalmidblu’ is the Calibrachoa cultivar ‘Calimor White’ (patented or unpatented). In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, plants of ‘Dancalmidblu’ differed from plants of ‘Calimor White’ primarily in corolla color. Plants of ‘Dancalmidblu’ also differed from plants of ‘Calimor White’ in the traits described in Table 2. TABLE 2 New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar Trait ‘Dancalmidblu’ ‘Calimor White’ Corolla color Violet White Corolla size Large Medium Diameter: Diameter: 3 to 4 cm 2.5 cm Flower time Medium Weak Plant vigor Medium Late

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Calibrachoa cultivar ‘Dancalmidblu’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of the ‘Dancalmidblu’.

The first photograph shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dancalmidblu’ in a hanging planter at 3 months of age. The second photograph shows a close-up view of the typical flowers and leaves of ‘Dancalmidblu’ at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Calibrachoa cultivar ‘Dancalmidblu’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of the new cultivar ‘Dancalmidblu’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of ‘Dancalmidblu’ are grown outdoors in moderate climate and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘Dancalmidblu’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘Dancalmidblu’ are fully grown plant in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year-round in a moderate climate. ‘Dancalmidblu’ is used as a pot plant and a bedding plant.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 3 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Calibrachoa sp.         -   Commercial.—Calibrachoa cv. Calimor Midnight Blue. -   Parentage:     -   -   Male parent: Calibrachoa cultivar designated ‘C.V.100’             (unpatented).         -   Female parent: Calibrachoa cultivar designated ‘C.V.178’             (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Cutting of side shoots.         -   Rooting Habit.—From cutting base. -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—15 cm.         -   Spread.—50cm.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Vigorous and high branching             rate; cascading bush. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—Hundreds.         -   Length.—About 30 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.1 cm.         -   Texture.—Light roughness.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 140-B.         -   Internode length.—About 2 cm.         -   Internode color.—Green, RHS 140-B.         -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—About 4. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Length.—About 3 cm.         -   Width.—About 1 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Puberulous.         -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green Group, RHS 137A             Immature leaf: Green Group, RHS 137A.         -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Green Group, RHS 137C             Immature leaf: Green Group, RHS 137C.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate (Only the “midrib” can be seen).             Color: Upper surface: Green Group, RHS 137C Lower surface:             Green Group, RHS 141C.         -   Petiole.—None. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single, horizontal facing, salverform             flowers. Flowers persistent and not fragrant.         -   Flowering season.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Flowering response.—Fully grown plant in 3 months.         -   Winter hardiness.—Frost tender. Temperature below 5° C. may             damage plants.         -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—2 to 4 days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 2 to 4 days, according to             weather. Length: The young bud is about 0.5 cm, and it             lengthens to about 1.5 cm before opening. Diameter: About             0.4 cm Shape: Tubular Color: Violet-Blue, RHS N92-C.         -   Corolla.—Arrangement and appearance: Single whorl of five             petals, fused into flared trumpet. Corolla size: Diameter: 3             to 4 cm Tube length: About 2 cm.         -   Petals.—Petal Number: 5 Petal size: Length: 3 to 4 cm Width:             1 to 1.5 cm Petal Shape: Overall: Roughly spatulate to             obovate. Apex shape: Obtuse Base shape: Fused Margin: Entire             Texture: Smooth Petal Color: When opening: Upper surface             Primarily: Violet-Blue Groups, RHS 93A and RHS N92-B. Lower             surface: Purple Group, RHS N79-B. When fully opened: Upper             surface: Primarily: Violet-Blue Group, RHS 93A. Lower             surface: Purple Group, RHS N79-B. Flower throat color             (inside): Yellow Group, RHS 6-A with purple veins Flower             tube color (outside): Yellow Group 6-D with purple veins         -   Sepals.—Arrangement and appearance: Single whorl of five             sepals, fused at base. Sepal Number: 5 Sepal size: Length:             About 1.5 cm Width: About 0.3 cm Sepal Shape: Overall:             Oblong Apex shape: Blunt Base shape: Fused Margin: Entire             Texture: Smooth Sepal Color: Upper surface Green Group, RHS             137-A Lower surface: Green Group, RHS 137-B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 2.5 cm Width: About 0.1 cm Angle:             About 45° from stem axis. Strength: Flexible. Texture:             Smooth Color: Green Group, RHS 143-B. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Number: 5.         -   Anther.—Shape: Erect Length: About 1.2 cm Color: Yellow             Group, RHS 12A Pollen amount: Moderate Pollen color: Yellow             Group, RHS 12A. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: About 1 cm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round Color: Yellow-green Group, RHS 145 C.         -   Style.—Length: About 0.9 cm Color: Green Group, RHS 143-C.         -   Ovary.—Color: Green Group, RHS 137C.         -   Seeds.—Length: About 0.1 cm Width: About 0.05 cm Shape:             Ovoid Texture: Smooth Color: Brown (greyed-orange group),             RHS GROUP 166C.         -   Fruit.—Length: About 0.5 cm Width: About 0.3 cm Shape:             Globular Texture: Smooth Color: Green Group, RHS 137A. -   Disease/Pest resistance: No sensitivity was observed under regular     growing conditions. -   Disease/Pest susceptibility: No information is currently available. -   Low temperature tolerance: Sensitive to temperatures below 5° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘Dancalmidblu’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 